Browns: Holmgren's hunch about Jordan Cameron proves true

Mike Holmgren was right about Jordan Cameron. The former Browns president was just a year early on his assessment.
During training camp one day in 2012, Holmgren sauntered over to a group of reporters and asked which player improved most from 2011.
“Greg Little,” one reporter said.
“Joe Haden,” said another.
“T.J. Ward,” someone else threw out there.
“It’s Jordan Cameron,” Holmgren said. “He’s athletic, and he worked as hard as anybody in the offseason.”
The 2011 fourth-round draft pick from USC caught six passes as a rookie. He caught 20 passes last year, but he was still behind starting tight end Benjamin Watson.
Watson is in New Orleans with the Saints. Cameron has been the starter since the first day of OTAs this year, and he’s running with it. He leads the Browns in catches (33), receiving yards (396) and touchdowns (five), and is nearing some swanky neighborhoods in terms of receiving numbers.
If Cameron catches two passes Sunday when the Browns host the Lions, he will have the most receptions for a player at any position in team history after six games. Running back Earnest Byner caught 34 passes through six games in 1986.
Ozzie Newsome had nine touchdown catches in 1979 and six in 1981 and 1983. Cameron has 11 games left to catch Newsome.
“I just want to help our team win,” Cameron said after practice Friday. “I’m trying to get to that level. I’m nowhere near it. It’s an honor to be labeled in those categories, but I’m not there.”
The Browns are difficult to defend if Brandon Weeden gets enough time to pick a target because Cameron and Josh Gordon give them a two-pronged attack.
The Browns beat the Vikings, 31-27, when Gordon caught 10 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. Cameron caught six passes for 66 yards and three touchdowns.
The Browns beat the Bengals, 17-6. Gordon caught four passes for 71 yards. Cameron caught 10 for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Gordon came out on top in the 37-24 victory over the Bills. He caught four passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Cameron caught three passes for 36 yards. Gordon and Cameron have combined for seven of the Browns’ eight touchdown catches this season.
For the Lions and each team the Browns play, it’s pick your poison — double team Cameron or double up Gordon.
There aren’t enough defenders to smother both.
“The way that Josh is playing, they’ve got to focus on him a lot, too,” Cameron said. “So we’ll see. I’ll be prepared for that kind of stuff (double coverage). It’s just one of those things when we show up on the first play, we’ll kind of get a feel for what they’re doing.”
Cameron benefitted in the weeks prior to training camp by working with Tony Gonzalez of the Atlanta Falcons, who holds virtually every career receiving record for a tight end. Browns tight ends coach Jon Embree coached Gonzalez with the Kansas City Chiefs and hooked them up.
“Nothing crazy,” Cameron said. “Just hanging out. We ran some routes, a few details here and there. We mainly talked about pregame, pre-practice daily routine and that stuff.
“After I talked to Tony, I changed my routine a little bit, but I’ve been working hard for a long, long time. This system we’re in is tight end friendly, and I think that’s been very beneficial to me.”
Coach Rob Chudzinski said Cameron has worked hard to become a better blocker. Cameron wants to be a complete tight end known for his blocking as well as his pass receiving.
“I think Jordan is playing with more confidence this year,” Weeden said. “We’re drawing up plays to get him more involved in the passing game.
“From a physical standpoint, even blocking on the line of scrimmage, I think he’s come a long way as a pass protector and run blocker. Now he’s not just a threat in the passing game. He’s had a heck of a year so far.”
Cameron caught nine passes for 108 yards and a touchdown from Weeden in the opener. He caught five passes for 95 yards from Weeden against the Ravens.
Brian Hoyer was the quarterback when the Browns beat the Vikings and Bengals. Punter Spencer Lanning threw a touchdown pass to Cameron on a fake punt in Minnesota.Surgery for Hoyer
Brian Hoyer’s torn right anterior cruciate ligament will be surgically repaired next Friday, Chudzinski said.
Chudzinski said he expects the surgery will be performed at the Cleveland Clinic.
Hoyer was injured on the second series of the game against the Bills on Oct. 3. Surgery is being delayed until next Friday to allow swelling to diminish.Injury report
Defensive end Billy Winn (quadriceps) is out for the Browns. Linebackers Jabaal Sheard (knee) and Quentin Groves (ankle) are questionable.
Chudzinski will wait until game time to determine whether to start Sheard. Barkevious Mingo will start if Sheard doesn’t.
Wide receiver Nate Burleson (arm), running back Theo Reddick (concussion) and tight end Tony Scheffler (concussion) are out for the Lions.
Tackle Jason Fox (knee) is doubtful. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson (knee) is questionable. Johnson practiced on a limited basis Friday for the second straight day.

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About the Author

Jeff has covered the Cleveland Browns since 1981. He also covers the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League and the Cleveland Gladiators in the Arena Football League. Reach the author at jschudel@news-herald.com
or follow Jeff on Twitter: @jsbrownsinsider.